Character Analysis: In The Vignette Four Skinny Trees

Imagine growing up in a neighborhood that tries day after day to tear you down. Imagine growing up in a world without role models to help guide you down the right path. Imagine growing up in a place where you saw your friends fall into a cycle of abuse. Imagine being the only one strong enough not to fall into the ways of the world around you. Wouldn’t that make you tougher in the long run? In The House On Mango Street, growing up in her neighborhood made Esperanza stronger.

In the vignette Four Skinny Trees Esperanza finds strength in the trees. She lives in an area with no human role models, so she has to see beauty and find examples in other places. “When I am too sad and too skinny to keep keeping, when I am a tiny thing against so many bricks, then it is I look at trees” (75) This quote shows that she is able to draw inspiration from the trees. Being able to find hope in places where there is little, is a skill she would probably not have had if she were to grow up in a rich suburban town, or anywhere with people she can look up. In summary, it is part of Esperanza’s personality to seek and find strength even in unusual objects like trees.

In the vignette, she says “One day I will pack my bags of books and paper. One day I will say goodbye to Mango. I am too strong for her to keep me here forever. One day I will go away.” (110) This quote shows that Esperanza sees more for her future than she could ever see through the lens of life on Mango Street. She knows that life where she is is not good enough for her, and knows that she will get what she wants. If she had grown up in a supportive neighborhood, she would not have had this skill. In short, Esperanza realized she has gathered enough strength, and that she has outgrown her